Foundations Programme
Are you ready to start your HM Journey?
6 Days of Camps
Improve your game in a national programme and meet like-minded peers from all over the country
Technical Coaching
Detailed technical coaching with to help improve player’s basics and range of skills. This gives young players the foundation to play high-level hockey
Gameplay
Realistic small-unit play and small-sided games to develop understanding of key game principles and decision making under pressure.
Indoor Hockey
Indoor hockey at 3/6 camp days- great for improving technical skills and decision making under pressure in this fast-paced fun format of hockey.
GK Coaching Support
Bespoke GK coaching support at all camps to help GKs improve technically and get the most out of gameplay exercises.
culture
We pride ourselves on a great culture that creates lifelong friendships and a community feel. Meet peers from all over the country.
HM Pathway
Programme led by HM Founder and Director of Hockey Jack Childs to ensure all players get the opportunity to progress through the HM Pathway.
Who is it for?
Current Y5/Y6/Y7
Boys & Girls
State school and/or Ethnic minority players
2026 – 2027 Calendar
apply to the Foundations Programme
You will be notified via email when registration is open for 2027 – 2028.
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Our most frequently asked questions
Please complete the application form on the ‘APPLY NOW’ button below or click any of the ‘APPLY NOW’ buttons on this page. This takes you to a google form to fill in.
No- players are selected from open trials on 11th July.
Please note to be invited to these open trials you have to apply on the google form (accessed by clicking the ‘APPLY NOW’ button). Everyone who applies is invited to the open trial, as long as they are current Y5/Y6/Y7 and state school and/or ethnic minority.
If your child can’t make 11th July they can still apply but their selection chances are reduced.
Players can apply for either a 2 camp or 3 camp package.
Costs are shared on the application form.
They include the specified number of camps and two training t-shirts.
Players are selected from open trials on 11th July.
Please note to be invited to these open trials you have to apply on the google form (accessed by clicking the ‘APPLY NOW’ button). Everyone who applies is invited to the open trial, as long as they are current Y5/Y6/Y7 and state school and/or ethnic minority.
The open trial costs £60 to attend and the day will run from 10am-5pm (payment will be requested and full details provided via email after the application window closes). The address for the open trials is Shobnall Leisure Centre, Shobnall Rd, Burton Upon Trent, DE14 2BB.
If your child cannot attend the open trial day on 11th July they can still apply but their chances of selection will be reduced.
Camps run 9am-5pm each day. Information will be sent out around a month before each camp with the breakdown of timings for each group.
The challenge for us is that school holiday dates are different around the country, so for some children camps might be in their term time. Before the camps we will send out a letter that you can share with your child’s school to request time off- this happens regularly on our competitions programme and HPP.
The open trial is on 11th July.
Please note to be invited to these open trials you have to apply to the foundations programme on the google form (accessed by clicking the ‘APPLY NOW’ button). Everyone who applies is invited to the open trial, as long as they are current Y5/Y6/Y7 and state school and/or ethnic minority.
The open trial costs £60 to attend and the day will run from 10am-5pm (payment will be requested and full details provided via email after the application window closes). The address for the open trials is Shobnall Leisure Centre, Shobnall Rd, Burton Upon Trent, DE14 2BB.
If your child cannot attend the open trial day on 11th July they can still apply but their chances of selection will be reduced.
The standard of HM Camps is high, as it is a national programme. It is likely to be much higher than player’s club/county hockey.
HM Founder/Director of Hockey Jack Childs is Head Coach for the foundations programme.
He is supported by a strong team of coaches who have generally played National League and/or junior international, as well as been through the HM Pathway.
The 29th/30th Oct camp has one day of indoor hockey. The 18th/19th Feb camp is both days indoor. The April camp has no indoor hockey.
Please note for indoor hockey players will need their own indoor stick and a proper left hand glove.
There will be around 50 outfield places and 6 GK places on the programme.
Applications open on Thursday 14th May 2026 and close on Sunday 7th June 2026.
W/C 8th June there will be an email sent to all applicants with details for the open trials on 11th July 2026.
Success Stories
“I joined Hockey Mentors as a goalkeeper two years ago and my journey with them has been amazing! Every session, camp, match or tournament has been a successful learning adventure. I have gained a deeper understanding of goalkeeping, from positioning to reflexes.”
